The Western concert flute can mean the standard C concert flute or the group of side-blown flutes that include the C flute. Most flutes in this group are made of metal, wood, or a mix of both. A person who plays the flute is called a "flautist" in British English and a "flutist" in American English.
This type of flute is used in many musical groups, such as concert bands, military bands, marching bands, orchestras, flute ensembles, and sometimes jazz combos and big bands. Other flutes in this group include the piccolo, the alto flute, and the bass flute. Many pieces of music have been written for the flute.
Predecessors
The flute is one of the oldest and most widely used wind instruments. Early versions of the modern concert flute were keyless wooden transverse flutes, similar to modern fifes. These flutes were later changed to include up to eight keys to play all the notes in a musical scale.
Six-holed flutes in the key of D are the most common type of keyless wooden transverse flutes. These flutes are used in Irish traditional music and in performances of early music, such as Baroque music. During the Baroque era, the traditional transverse flute was redesigned and eventually became the modern traverso.
From the 11th to the 13th centuries, the recorder was popular in Europe, while transverse flutes were rare. Transverse flutes came to Europe from Asia through the Byzantine Empire and later spread to Germany and France. These flutes were called "German flutes" to differentiate them from the recorder. The flute was used in court music alongside the viol and in secular music in France and Germany. It took nearly a century for the flute to spread to the rest of Europe. The first written mention of the transverse flute was in 1285 by Adenet le Roi, who listed it among the instruments he played. For about 70 years after this, there were few other references to the flute.
Starting in the 1470s, the flute was used in military settings, such as by the Swiss army for signaling, which helped it spread across Europe. By the late 16th century, flutes began to appear in court and theatre music (early versions of modern orchestras), and the first flute solos were written.
In the following years, flutes were used in chamber ensembles, often as the tenor voice. However, because flutes varied in size and range, musicians needed to transpose music. They used a system called Guidonian hexachords, which had been used by singers and other musicians since the 11th century.
During the 16th and early 17th centuries, transverse flutes were made in several sizes, forming a group called a "consort," similar to how recorders were used. These flutes were usually made in one or two pieces and had a cylindrical shape. This design gave them a soft sound, and they were often used in the "soft consort" of music.
During the Baroque period, the transverse flute was redesigned. It was then called the traverso (from the Italian word for "crossed"). The traverso was made in three or four parts (head, upper-body, lower-body, and foot joint) and had a conical shape from the head down. This shape allowed the flute to play a wider range of notes and produce a more powerful sound while keeping its soft, expressive qualities. The head joint of the traverso has one hole for blowing air, and the upper and lower body parts each have three finger holes. The Baroque flute had one key, usually made of metal, on the foot joint. The traverso was made from materials like wood (often boxwood), ivory, and metal. Many Baroque flutes have survived, while few from the Renaissance and Medieval eras remain.
During the Renaissance and Medieval eras, the flute was mostly used in group performances. However, during the Baroque era, composers began writing more music for the flute in operas, ballets, and chamber music. The traverso also began to be played as a solo instrument. The first written solo piece for the traverso was "Pièces pour la flute traversiere avec la basse-continue" by Michael de la Barre in 1702. Other important Baroque flute composers included Praetorius, Schütz, Rebillé, Quantz, J.S. Bach, Telemann, Blavet, Vivaldi, Hotteterre, Handel, and Frederick the Great. In 1707, Jacques Martin Hotteterre wrote the first flute method book: Principes de la flûte traversière. By the 1730s, the flute was used more often in opera and chamber music, and Quantz published his Essay of a Method of Playing the Transverse Flute.
The Baroque flute requires less airflow than the modern flute and produces softer, more mellow sounds. It often blends with other instruments in an orchestra. The Baroque flute also requires the player to adjust the pitch more carefully than modern flutes. Extra adjustments are needed when playing notes outside the D major scale. A flutist can change the pitch slightly by adjusting their mouth position or turning the flute toward or away from their body.
In the early Romantic era, the flute became less popular as symphony orchestras focused more on brass and string instruments. However, in the 21st century, the Baroque flute has gained popularity again, thanks to musicians like Barthold Kuijken, Frans Bruggen, Emi Ferguson, and Peter Holtslag.
Development
In the nineteenth century, Theobald Boehm, a skilled flautist, composer, and inventor, began designing flutes. He added keys to the flute and changed its shape to improve the sound of lower notes. The modern western concert flute and similar instruments are heavily influenced by Boehm’s design, which he patented in 1847. Small changes to his key system are common, but the basic shape of the flute’s tube remains nearly the same as he created. Major improvements included switching from wood to metal, using a large straight opening, a curved narrowing at the head, large tone holes covered by keys, and a linked key system that made playing easier. The most significant changes from Boehm’s original design are the removal of the "crutch" for the left hand and the use of a thumb key system and a closed G♯ key. Boehm’s key system, with small adjustments, is still considered the most efficient for modern woodwind instruments, allowing musicians to play easily in all musical keys. The modern flute has three full octaves plus notes from C7 to D7 in the fourth octave. Some modern composers use the high D♯7 note. While these high notes are rare, the flute can still produce even higher pitches.
The Meyer flute was a popular instrument in the mid-1800s. Developed by H.F. Meyer between 1850 and the late 1890s, it had up to 12 keys and used either metal-lined ivory or wood for the head. Its final design combined features of traditional flutes and the Viennese flute, becoming widely used in Europe and America. This version had 12 keys, a wooden body, and a head made of metal and ivory.
In contrast, the Giorgi flute, patented in 1897, was a simpler version of the ancient holed flute. It had no mechanical keys, though the patent allowed for optional keys. The Giorgi flute enabled players to produce accurate notes in all musical keys, similar to Boehm’s system. These flutes are now rare, found in museums and private collections. Both the Boehm and Giorgi flutes share similar principles, with tone holes spaced to create a full range of notes. Players adjust the flute’s pitch by opening or closing holes, which changes the tube’s effective length and the sound’s frequency.
In the 1950s, Albert Cooper modified the Boehm flute to make it easier to play modern music. He adjusted the flute to the standard A440 tuning and redesigned the embouchure hole to change the sound. These flutes became widely used by professional and amateur musicians.
In the 1980s, Johan Brögger improved the Boehm flute by solving two long-standing issues: misalignment between certain keys and problems between the G and B♭ keys. His changes included non-rotating shafts, which reduced noise and friction, and allowed individual spring adjustments. The flute was also reinforced. The Brögger flute is now made only by the Brannen Brothers and Miyazawa Flutes.
Characteristics
The flute is a woodwind instrument that is held sideways (also called a transverse instrument). It is closed at the end where the player blows. To play it, air is blown over a small opening called the embouchure hole. The pitch changes when keys are opened or closed, which cover circular tone holes (there are usually 16 tone holes). Opening and closing these holes creates higher or lower pitches. Higher notes can also be made by blowing harder, like other woodwind instruments. How the air is directed and how hard it is blown also affects the sound, tone, and loudness of the flute.
The piccolo is often used in Western orchestras and bands. Alto flutes, which are a fourth lower than the standard flute, and bass flutes, which are an octave lower, are also used sometimes.
The standard concert flute, also called the C flute, Boehm flute, silver flute, or simply flute, is tuned to the note C. It can play notes across three and a half octaves, starting from middle C (C4). The highest note is usually C7 or D7 in modern music. More experienced players can reach F♯7, but notes above D7 are hard to play. Some modern flutes have a longer foot joint with an extra key to reach B3.
The concert flute family includes these instruments, from highest to lowest pitch:
• Piccolo in C or D♭
• Treble flute in G
• Soprano flute in E♭
• Concert flute in C (described above)
• Flûte d’amour (also called tenor flute) in B♭, A, or A♭
• Alto flute in G
• Bass flute in C
• Contra-alto flute in G
• Contrabass flute in C (also called octobass flute)
• Subcontrabass flute in G (also called double contra-alto flute) or C (also called double contrabass flute)
• Double contrabass flute in C (also called octocontrabass flute or subcontrabass flute)
• Hyperbass flute in C
Each flute has its own range. The piccolo reads music in C (like the standard flute) but sounds one octave higher. The alto flute is in the key of G, and its lowest note is below middle C; its highest note is a high G (four ledger lines above the treble staff). The bass flute is an octave lower than the concert flute, and the contrabass flute is an octave lower than the bass flute.
Other flutes include the treble flute in G (one octave higher than the alto flute), the soprano flute (between the treble and concert flute), and the tenor flute or flûte d’amour in B♭, A, or A♭ (between the concert and alto flute).
Flutes lower than the bass flute were developed in the 20th century. These include the contra-alto flute (one octave below the alto), the subcontrabass flute (two octaves below the alto), and the double contrabass flute (one octave below the contrabass). Flutes other than the concert flute and piccolo are sometimes called harmony flutes.
The concert flute has three parts: the headjoint, body, and foot joint. The headjoint is sealed with a cork or plug. Adjusting the cork can fine-tune the flute, but it is usually set to a factory-recommended position. The player can make quick pitch adjustments by moving the headjoint in or out. The flautist changes pitch and tone by adjusting their embouchure or the flute’s position.
Key parts of the flute include:
• Crown – the cap at the end of the headjoint that helps position the cork.
• Lip plate – the part of the headjoint that touches the player’s lower lip.
• Riser – the metal piece that raises the lip plate.
• Headjoint – the top section with the tone hole and lip plate.
• Body – the middle section with most of the keys.
• Closed-hole – a key that is fully covered.
• Open-hole – a key with a hole in the center.
• Pointed arms – arms on keys that connect to rods; found on more expensive flutes.
• French model – a flute with pointed arms and open-hole keys.
• Inline G – the standard position of the left-hand G key.
• Offset G – a G key shifted to the side for easier reach.
• Split E mechanism – a system that helps play the note E in the third octave more clearly.
• Trill keys – small keys used for playing trills (quick note changes).
• Foot joint – the bottom section of the flute.
• C foot – a foot joint with a lowest note of middle C (C4).
• B foot – a foot joint with a lowest note of B below middle C (B3).
• D♯ roller – an optional feature on the foot joint.
• “Gizmo key” – an optional key on the B foot joint that helps play C7.
The headjoint tube is slightly narrowed toward the closed end. Theobald Boehm described this shape as parabolic, though it is more complex than a cone. The headjoint is the hardest part to make because the lip plate and tone hole must be precisely shaped. The design of the headjoint affects the flute’s sound, but there is no single agreed-upon shape. The size of the embouchure hole and its shape are key to how the flute sounds.
Cheaper student flutes may have a curved head to make them easier for young players with shorter arms.
Less expensive flutes are often made of brass, polished and covered with silver to prevent rust. More expensive flutes are made of silver or other precious metals, such as sterling silver or alloys like French silver. Some old French flutes made by Louis Lot are known for their unique sound.
Composition
An early version of Antonio Vivaldi's La tempesta di mare flute concerto may have been written between 1713 and 1716. This would make it the first concerto written for the flute, as well as the earliest example of a high F6 note, which was difficult for flutes of that time to play.
Flutes were not often used in early jazz music. Drummer and bandleader Chick Webb was one of the first to include flutes in jazz performances, starting in the late 1930s. Frank Wess became one of the first well-known flute players in jazz during the 1940s. Because Theobald Boehm’s fingering system is used in both saxophones and concert flutes, many flute players also play saxophones in jazz and small ensembles, and some saxophone players also play flute.
Since 1950, many famous musicians have used flutes in jazz. Frank Foster and Frank Wess (from the Basie band), Jerome Richardson (from the Jones/Lewis big band), and Lew Tabackin (from the Akiyoshi/Tabackin big band) played flute in large ensembles. In smaller groups, notable flute players included Bud Shank, Herbie Mann, Yusef Lateef, Mélanie De Biasio, Joe Farrell, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Charles Lloyd, Hubert Laws, and Moe Koffman. Some musicians who played in modal jazz and avant-garde jazz styles also used the flute, such as Eric Dolphy, Sam Rivers, and James Spaulding.
Jethro Tull is likely the most famous rock band to regularly use the flute. The band’s lead singer, Ian Anderson, plays the flute. An alto flute is briefly heard in The Beatles song You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, played by John Scott. The Beatles later used the flute more clearly in their song Penny Lane.
Other groups that have included the flute in pop and rock music are The Moody Blues, Chicago, Australian bands Men at Work and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, the Canadian group Harmonium, Dutch bands Focus and early Golden Earring, and British groups Traffic, Genesis, Gong (whose flautist/saxophonist Didier Malherbe was French), Hawkwind, King Crimson, Camel, and Van der Graaf Generator.
American singer Lizzo is also known for playing the flute. Her flute is named Sasha Flute and has its own Instagram account.